The Fulham Society newsletter is always informative and interesting. Here’s an extract from the February 2019 issue.
“The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) comes into force on 8 April 2019, and will initially cover the existing congestion charge zone in central London but, unlike the congestion zone, it will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From 25 October 2021, it will expand to an area bounded by the north and south circular roads. This is therefore a critical date for Fulham car owners.
Vehicles, including motorbikes, that don’t meet the tighter exhaust emissions standards will have to pay £12.50 every day that they are used within the ULEZ – the city centre zone from this April, the extended one from October 2021 – plus the £11.50 congestion charge if they enter the city centre (Monday and Friday, 7am to 6pm). Failure to pay will result in a fine of £160. Lorries will be charged £100 a day, with a £1,000 fine for failing to pay on time.
Will I be affected?
Broadly speaking, pre-2015 diesels and pre-2006 petrol cars will fall foul of the new standards. To find out if your car or bike is affected, go to the “Check your vehicle” page on the TfL website: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/vrm-checker-ulez
Precisely how many drivers will be hit with the charge is unknown, as many are likely to sell older vehicles before 2021. TfL estimate that when the zone expands to the north and south circular in 2021, 80% of car kilometres driven within the zone on an average day would be by cars that already meet the ULEZ standard.
Keepers of vehicles registered with a “disabled” or “disabled passenger vehicles” tax class will not have to pay until 26 October 2025.“
No prizes for guessing that my BMW, celebrating its 19th birthday this year, falls foul of the ULEZ legislation. It’s time for me to give up car ownership and I am told that I will not be alone. A major motor car manufacturer thinks that within 15 years ownership of cars will be a luxury only enjoyed by the super-rich. The rest of us will drive shared cars like Blue City, hire driverless cars, take taxis or cycle on new generation power-assisted push-bikes.
In the second half of the last century possibly the two greatest aspirations were to own a car and go to university. Car manufacturers conspired to encourage the former and are responsible for the good motorway network in the UK at the expense of railway infrastructure.